Author Spotlight: Melanie Gilbert
This week we're celebrating Melanie Gilbert and her release, The Curse of Thorn.
You can learn more about her new release below. Also, stay tuned for part II of this celebration that will take place on Wednesday, September 30th at 10am EST on our Facebook page! We'll be interviewing Mel, and showing off her new release.
Get your copy of The Curse of Thorn HERE.
What kind of impact did writing The Curse of Thorn have on you personally?
Writing The Curse of Thorn was a stretch for me. I’m a plotter, but the amount of backstory in this novel had me pushing beyond my normal limits. I loved the plot but didn’t feel adequate enough to write it for a long time, so I put it aside. Once I began again, though, the story just flowed. The secrets in this book were intriguing and even I was on the edge of my seat to see how the story of Abby and Thorn would come together.
How are you reflected in The Curse of Thorn (or, how much of you is reflected in the book)?
I grew up in a small town so writing a book with a small town setting was exciting for me. There’s nothing like driving down back roads and finding out of the way places most people don’t know about, like the restaurant where Seth takes Abby.
What is your favorite thing to do to promote your book?
My readers were the ones who created Abby and named Thorn. I did a character creation on a Facebook live and on this book, my readers even gave me hints as to plot, so this book is for them. I’ve created quite a few characters with my readers and they’ll appear in upcoming books. I’m so excited to see what readers will think of them. So far, Coen in Deal: A Rumpelstiltskin Retelling is a big hit and my readers created him too. He nearly stole the show from Del and Sloan, the real main characters!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned while being a writer?
Ideas and scenes always sound better in your head but that’s okay. To edit, you need a first draft and that draft can be as rough as it needs to be. No one but you will see that draft so write with that in mind. Just get the story out and then begin to polish it.
Anything else you’d like your readers to know?
I love hearing from readers! Hearing your thoughts on books and characters is my favorite thing!
Melanie’s love of writing was instilled in her during the fourth grade when she co-wrote her first sloppily written, hand-drawn, book with her sisters. Since then, she has taken her love of writing to the next level with published novels. Her husband, two sons, and dog, Toby, are her biggest supporters.
You can find more about Melanie by visiting HERE